N05035:306
An humble inquiry into the rules of the Word of God, concerning the qualifications…
An humble inquiry into the rules of the Word of God, concerning the qualifications requisite to a complete standing and full communion in the visible Christian church. By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Northampton. ; With an appendix by Mr. Foxcroft. ; [Ten lines of quotations]An humble inquiry into the rules of the Word of God, concerning the qualifications requisite to a compleat standing and full communion in the visible Christian church. By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Northampton. ; With an appendix by Mr. Foxcroft. ; [Ten lines of quotations]
Boston: : Printed & sold by S. Kneeland in Queenstreet, 1749
Title page typeset from the transcription.
An Inquiry into the Qualifications for full Communion in the visibl… › Part 3
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
God may most reasonably require a proper Testimony and Profession of Love to Him; and yet it may also be reasonable to suppose, at the same Time, He forbids Men to lie; or to declare that they have Love, when they have none: Because, tho' it be supposed, that God requires Men to testify Love to Him, yet he requires 'em to do it in a right Way, and in the true Order, viz. first loving Him, and then testifying their Love.
(4) I don't see how it can be true, that a Man, as he is naturally, has not a legal Power to be converted, accept of Christ, love God &c. By a legal Power to do a Thing, is plainly meant such Power as brings a Person properly within the Reach of a legal Obligation, or the Obligation of a Law or Command to do that Thing: But he that has such natural Faculties, as render him a proper Subject of moral Government, and as speak it a fit and proper Thing for him to love God &c. and as given him a natural Capacity herefor; such a one may properly be commande• […] put under the Obligation of a Law to do Things so reasonable; notwithstanding any native Aversion and moral Inability in him to do his Duty, arising from the Power of Sin. This also, I must observe, was a known Doctrine of Mr. Stoddard's, and what he ever taught.
(4) I don't see how it can be true, that a Man, as he is naturally, has not a legal Power to be converted, accept of Christ, love God &c. By a legal Power to do a Thing, is plainly meant such Power as brings a Person properly within the Reach of a legal Obligation, or the Obligation of a Law or Command to do that Thing: But he that has such natural Faculties, as render him a proper Subject of moral Government, and as speak it a fit and proper Thing for him to love God &c. and as given him a natural Capacity herefor; such a one may properly be commande• 〈…〉 put under the Obligation of a Law to do Things so reasonable; notwithstanding any native Aversion and moral Inability in him to do his Duty, arising from the Power of Sin. This also, I must observe, was a known Doctrine of Mr. Stoddard's, and what he ever taught.